Is there anything more appetizing than the aroma of home made bread in the oven? I looked forward to the treat of Mom’s fresh baked bread! Even the heels of the loaf were delicious. Buttered bread, now frowned upon in many diets is a real pleasure. I think many times people choose a specific restaurant just because their fresh bread and yeast rolls draw them in. Some restaurant chains have even made tossed hot rolls their advertising focus. I guess the rolls that land on the floor will end up as treats for dogs begging at the back door.

In the past, people referred to bread as the staff of life. They considered bread to be an essential, not a high calorie food. Recently it began to make a comeback. Whole wheat breads are seen as a very good high fiber addition to our diets. Grandpa Ford knew what he needed before it gained nutritional experts stamp of approval.

The written word of God uses many different names for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each highlights a part of His character, or His loving action. We often forget that Jesus is the living bread. He clearly explains His role of sustaining life. “Truly, truly I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh (John 6: 47- 51 NAS).”

Those who listened argued over such a radical claim. Did he expect them to eat His flesh? In a session on foreign missions our speaker presented the difficulty of Bible translators for a foreign language of cannibal tribes. Those given the challenge realized their need for God’s divine guidance.

What does it mean to you? He is essential. He nourishes us. He sustains us. He satisfies us. We receive these benefits only when we receive Him as the bread of life. His bread is always fresh and available. The Lord does not ask us to settle for day old bread. He offers Himself; will you receive? The next time you drive through a busy city with a large bread factory, notice the aroma drifting through the air; look above to your true bread of life!